“Family Well-being: The Challenges of Community-Based Education”

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of mothers and fathers of individuals with disabilities attending Multiple Attention Centers (CAM) in the municipality of Chihuahua, Mexico. The objective was to understand how families perceive and construct their well-being within a community context, especially in situations of social vulnerability. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six parents selected through purposive sampling, which allowed us to delve into emotional, social and institutional aspects of family life. The thematic analysis, carried out with ATLAS.ti version 9 software, facilitated the organization and interpretation of the discourses, which were grouped into three main categories: support networks, social dimension and family well-being. The results show that the CAMs have acquired a fundamental role in the lives of the families, offering not only educational services to their children, but also emotional accompaniment, practical guidance and strengthening of community ties. Families highlighted the importance of institutional accompaniment, peer support and inclusive practices as key factors in facing daily challenges. Likewise, family resilience was positioned as a central element in the adaptation to disability, allowing the transformation of adversity into opportunities for growth and social integration. It is concluded that family well-being in contexts of disability is a complex, dynamic and multifactorial process, which depends on access to support networks, inclusive educational policies and the active participation of families in school and community life.